Evgeni Malkin Has Knee Injury, Skips IIHF World Championships

In a tweet from Team Russia, the team announced Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin will not participate in the 2018 IIHF World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark due to a knee injury.

Speculation about Malkin’s health was rampant as the superstar seemed hampered against the Washington Capitals in Round 2. Malkin fell awkwardly after battling Philadelphia Flyers center Jori Lehtera for a loose puck in the Penguins Round 1 series against the Flyers. The Penguins lost their historic bid for three straight Stanley Cups by falling in Round 2 to the Capitals in six games.

Malkin, 31, had three points (1g, 2a) in four games against the Capitals. Overall, Malkin had eight points (4g, 4a) in nine playoff games this season. In the regular season, Malkin was a Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy contender with 98 points, including 42 goals.

The Penguins have played 307 games since the beginning of the 2015-16 season, by far the most in the NHL.

Team Russia, under the OAR banner (Olympic Athletes of Russia), won the gold medal in February at the 2018 Winter Olympics, despite the NHL ban on contract players participating. Russia was banned from the international competition for systemic doping but many Russian athletes were allowed to participate but not officially represent Russia.

Russia had not won a gold medal since the communist Soviet Union victory in Calgary, 1988.

The Penguins have locker clean out day today. Pittsburgh Hockey Now will have full coverage and interviews with the players as they part for the summer.

“striker Eugene Malkin not be able to come to the national team because of a knee injury. We wish you a speedy recovery, always waiting for Eugenia in the national team! Thanks to him and all the fans of the Russian national team for their support! It is very important for our team!”